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Industries

Practices

Biography

Tom helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into successful companies. He is keenly aware of the two primary challenges that startups face: how to build a profitable business from scratch around a concept and how to protect the trademarks and other intellectual property that are critical to business success.

Tom has extensive experience guiding businesses through all forms of corporate and business transactions, both nationally and internationally, including mergers and acquisitions, financing and securities transactions (including Regulation D private offerings), negotiating and drafting complex LLC agreements, employment agreements and royalty agreements. He has helped startups structure and manages a variety of outside investments, from seed capital to angel investor funding to venture capital financing.

Tom also works with a variety of businesses, including the alcohol, food, and beverage industries, where he ensures the protection of their trademarks and other intellectual property assets, including through enforcement action when their rights have been infringed. He monitors trademark portfolios for many clients and routinely represents them before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Other Info About Thomas

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Representing a California-based craft distillery on a broad range of activities, including business strategy, company formation, city and state licensing, capital raising, real estate leases, equipment purchasing agreements, international sales and distribution contracts, and more.

Assisting a privately held, large surf wear company on all legal matters, including licensing and trademark issues.

Representing a Mexican conglomerate involved in the supermarket industry in the divestiture of its U.S. grocery operations

Representing an international producer of meat products in connection with importation, distribution, licensing, corporate governance, and regulatory matters.

Education

Law School

Lewis & Clark Coll Northwestern School of Law, J.D., 1988

Undergraduate School

California Polytechnic University, Pomona, B.S. Landscape Architecture, 1984

Bar Memberships

Thomas is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

California, 1989

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

International Legal Perspectives, Co-Editor

Olive Crest, Director and Past Chairman

Tustin Public Schools Foundation, Director, and Past Chairman/President

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